Episode No. 10 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil'

After a brief recap of episode No. 9, it’s time for the semifinals to get under way. The teams have been divided based on the dominance of Vitor Belfort’s squad over Wanderlei Silva’s team in the opening rounds, so emotions are tense as we get started.

The coaches try to remain positive during a grand ceremony of the team switches is held. As previously announced, Marcos Vinicius “Vina” Borges Pancini, Renee Forte and Delson “Pe de Chumbo” Heleno, all eliminated from the tournament, will shift over to Team Vitor. Meanwhile, winners Thiago “Bodao” de Oliveira Perpetuo, Sergio “Serginho” Moraes and Godofredo “Pepey” de Oliveira make the move to Team Wanderlei.

After the changes are official, the semifinal bouts, as picked by UFC president Dana White, are announced. In the middleweight division, it’s Moraes vs. Daniel Sarafian and de Oliveira Perpetuo vs. Cezar “Mutante” Ferreira. For the featherweights, it’s Hugo “Wolverine” Viana vs. Rony “Jason” Mariano Bezerra and de Oliveira vs. Rodrigo Damm. “Pepey” and Damm will have the honors of the first semifinal matchup.

Damm, of course, has fought for Strikeforce, Sengoku and BodogFIGHT, and everyone is aware of his credentials. Meanwhile, Silva knows that de Oliveira’s jiu-jitsu strength could very well be neutralized by Damm’s grappling skills, so he’s predicting a tough matchup.

Back at the house, Damm is in tears. The physical pain in his back has become uncontrollable, but he doesn’t want treatment. He knows that could mean elimination. His team talks him into getting treatment, knowing the pain is severe. “Pepey” is honorable in his assessment: He wants a good fight. It seems most of the house agrees, and no one wants a cheap pass.

In the morning, Damm is back at the house. It turns out, Damm has suffered kidney damage from dehydration and must be eliminated from the competition. The team lets de Oliveira know he can stop cutting weight, and they wait for more instruction. As it turns out, someone will get a chance to come back into the show and replace him. It’s “Vina” Borges Pancini, and he tears up considering the opportunity that he’s been afforded, especially since it was UFC head White that gave it to him.

Both fighters dream of a spot in the UFC, and they both realize the importance of this matchup on their professional careers and personal lives. Both competitors make weight, and it’s time for a fight.

Before the fight, it’s time for lunch. But not just any lunch – it’s a product-placement lunch, courtesy of Burger King. Head and Shoulders Shampoo follows, but it barely gets a glimpse. Highly disappointing.

On a brighter note, White is back in the building for the semifinals, so the excitement has just jumped a notch. The passion of both fighters as at an absolute fever-pitch,

Round 1 – Referee Mario Yamasaki is the referee, and this fight is scheduled as a three-rounder. Pepey strikes first with a clean takedown, driving Vina to the fence. Vina has an open guard and hits a sweep to top after threatening to take the back. Pepey rolls for a kimura on the bottom, and he shifts to an armbar when it misses. Vina pulls free from both and remains on top. Pepey continues to look for options underneath, but Vina steps up the volume from the top, scoring with big punches. Pepey nearly locks out a kimura, then uses it to switch ti top. Vina somehow survives the nasty work and the pair returns to the feet. Pepey then leaps in with a crazy leglock that misses, and Vina shifts over to the back. Incredible transitions in the final minute. Vina settles on top, as Pepey looks again for the kimura in before the bell. Crazy grappling in a back-and-forth round.

Round 2 – Pepey shoots again to open the second and scores with a few big punches while looking to pass guard. He nearly exposes his back looking to advance but settles into guard after rolling too far. Pepey is the more active fighter, but he’s allowing Vina to enjoy the top position. Pepey nearly sweeps with a simple reach over, but Vina maintains top position. Pepey latches on to the right arm for a kimura. it’s not there, but he rolls it to top and switches to a straight armbar, earning the tap. Great work, and he becomes the first Brazilian to score a spot in the finals.

It’s an emotional moment for de Oliveira, and everyone celebrates his victory, including his new coach. It’s a dream scenario, and he is the first to achieve it. “Pepey” thanks God and his family for his good fortune. Meanwhile, Borges Pancini laments his result. His arms is in a sling as he walks away, and Belfort tries to support him.

It’s time to move de Oliveira’s picture on in the gym’s bracket, and “Pepey” wants his coaches to take the honor. They enjoy the moment together.

Back at the house, it’s product placement time once again: Sky On Demand. Movie rentals at your fingertips, fighters. Believe it.

Catch new episodes of “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” every Sunday at midnight ET/9 p.m. PT at en.TUF.tv at midnight ET/9 p.m. PT. MMAjunkie.com recaps each episode of the reality series, and additional series coverage can be found on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” page.

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